By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
DSM-Firmenich's Dutch biker Fabio Jakobsen on Sunday won the opening stage of the 59th edition of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye.
Jakobsen finished the first stage in the Turkish Riviera resort of Antalya in 2 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds.
Bingoal WB's Belgian biker Sasha Weemaes was just four seconds behind the winner, while Alpecin-Deceuninck's Belgian rider Simon Dehairs finished third, just two seconds behind Weemaes.
On Monday, Stage 2 will be held between Kemer and Kas, two districts in coastal Antalya.
Looking ahead to next week, the final stage in the tour, Stage 8, is due to take place in Istanbul next Sunday, April 28.
Stage 8 will feature a bridge crossing in the world’s only cross-continental bike tour, going from Istanbul’s Asian (Anatolian) side to its European side.